PM to FM, all blast CBI raid on Stalin's properties

The CBI today carried out raids at the residence of DMK chief M Karunanidhi's son MK Stalin, two days after the party pulled out of UPA, triggering a political controversy and the Prime Minister saying that its timing was unfortunate.

The CBI Thursday carried out raids at the residence of DMK chief M Karunanidhi's son MK Stalin, two days after the party pulled out of UPA, triggering a political controversy over its timing with even top central ministers strongly disapproving of the action.

Searches were carried out at 19 places across Tamil Nadu, including at Stalin's home in Chennai, in the morning in a case of alleged tax evasion of imported cars.

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, including seniors Congress in the UPA, strongly disapproved of the CBI searches, as the Centre distanced itself from the action saying it was not aware of the raids.

"We are all upset. The government did not do it," Prime Minister said.

"Timing of the CBI raid at Stalin's residence unfortunate," he added.

DMK, which pulled out of UPA on Tuesday and withdrew its ministers Wednesday, said the action was a "political vendetta" amid reports that the agency concluded its searches after the uproar broke out.

"I strongly disapprove of CBI action. It is bound to be misunderstood," Chidambaram said in New Delhi.

Chidambaram, a Lok Sabha MP from Sivaganga in Tamil Nadu, said normally he does not comment on the working of another department but in this case he had to react.

"Whatever be the reason, I am afraid, it is bound to be misunderstood. I have conveyed my views to minister incharge," the finance minister said.

V Narayanasamy, who is the minister of state in the PMO and department of personnel and training (DoPT), is the minister in-charge of CBI.

The finance minister said he came to know about the CBI action around 8.30am.

"This only demonstrates that government is not dictating the CBI and it (action) is a very foolish thing. Certainly Government wouldn't do such a thing. I am very very disappointed at CBI's action," he said in Delhi.

Another Union minister Rajiv Shukla claimed there is no government hand in the CBI raids.

"We condemn it and appropriate action should be taken how these raids have been conducted and we are completely against such things," he said.

Stalin (60), considered a political heir to 88-year-old Karunanidhi, dubbed the CBI raid as a 'political vendetta' and said he would face the case legally.

BJP said the CBI searches is an example of "blatant" misuse of power by the UPA government for its survival and proves that it uses the probe agency to muffle allies who are walking out of the ruling coalition.